5 comments about Celtic Christmas: A Windham Hill Sampler.

1. Nice variety of Celtic songs for the Holidays and all the days after! Perfect for playing in the background during dinner and a bit louder during clean-up!



2. A very nice, relaxing cd and one that can be played all year long.



3. The good thing about any of the Celtic Christmas CDs is that they don't feature any traditional, commercialized Christmas Carols. Therefore, you can play them as soon as Fall comes around and continue until the last snow melts.



4. An excellent collection of Celtic music from many contemporary Celtic artists. There's not a bad track on the CD. If you're looking for "christmas-y" music in the vein of Mannheim Steamroller, look elsewhere. This is the real stuff, from solemn, to joyous, to reflective. I can't recommend it enough.



5. I bought this cd thinking it would be nice to listen to for Christmas and it is nice but not what I thought it would be.

5 comments about Let There Be Peace on Earth.

1. I had forgotten what an AMAZING Christmas selection this was until I listened to this one over the Thanksgiving Holiday.At such a low price this is a no brainer. It's a must have Holiday CD!



2. I have had this Vince Gill Christmas CD for quite a few years now. It didn't mean that much to me until I became a Christian. I don't think I have heard anyone sing "What Child Is This?" better than Vince......he continues to take my breath away when he sings this song! This Glorious Season isn't the same without a Vince Gill Christmas CD!



3. Vince Gill has such a beautiful voice. So soothing and easy to listen to. The arrangements on this CD make these Christmas songs sound brand new. "Let There be Peace on Earth" is lovely as he shares the song with his daughter, Jenny. I have many of Vince's CD's and he always delivers an excellent assortment of great music. And he is a quite accomplished musician as well. Listen to this CD on your way to work during the holidays, and let it relax you and fill your heart and mind with peace and great thoughts.



4. We have a large collection of Christmas music. Every year we buy a new CD to add to it. After fifteen years, this CD is still our favorite. Although we've got a nice collection, every year, try as we might, we can never find a Christmas CD that compares to this one.
   
   Gill's smooth, soothing voice, accompanied by simple beautiful musical arrangements and background vocals make listening to this CD a perfect way to relax and enjoy and appreciate the season.
   
   The album contains some gorgeously done classics and a jazzy, fun instrumental in "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Gill does a sweet duet with his young daughter, Jenny, with "Let there be Peace on Earth."
   
   But it's the wonderful originals "One Bright Star," "Til the Season Comes Around Again," and "It Won't be the Same This Year" that make this album extra special. These songs tug at the heartstrings of the most heardened of us and cause tears to well in the eyes of the rest of us - especially, "It Won't be the Same. ." in which Gill laments the loss of his older brother, Bob, to whom the CD is dedicated.
   
   Listening to this CD will help you truly appreciate the meaning of the season. Buy it, gather your loved ones, put your feet up, and you will, indeed, experience peace on earth. Thanks, Vince.



5. This is a fantastic Christmas album. No one could have done it better than Vince Gill.
   
   LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH is my favorite....I play that song all year.
   If only we could have WORLD PEACE..pray also for peace within our homes
   
   LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH......OH YES, DEAR GOD IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY

3 comments about Christmas with Bing Crosby and Kate Smith.

1. Beware...this DVD is in Black & White, not color as advertised! It is a b/w kinescope of the 12/24/66 episode of ABC-tv's Hollywood Palace. The show originally aired in color.



2. I love Bing and Kate. I was not disappointed in their performances, but I did forget that since it was so old, it would be in black and white. The picture wasn't as clear as I had hoped but the singing made up for whatever the picture lacked.



3. While the "main" feature of this DVD is a Christmas-Eve themed "Hollywood Cavalcade" from 1966, hosted by Bing Crosby, the real highlight is an "extra" which is a rare 1954 hour-long TV version of "A Christmas Carol" with Frederic March.
   
   The main program is not what we've come to expect from Christmas specials, but is really nothing more than a vaudeville show, complete with comic (Bob Newhart), trained dogs, and a dance number (Cyd Cyrisse, dressed as a marionette). It's fairly ordinary (and typical of the time), but the best parts are when Bing sings, alone, with Kate Smith and with his family and very young children, ages 5-9. These parts are more reminiscent of Bing's Christmas specials which more people are familiar with.
   
   But the extra "Christmas Carol" is a delight. Most people have never heard of it, and it has many excellent actors, especially Frederic March as Scrooge. But the highlight of it is the music by famed film composer Bernard Herrmann (more known for his association with Hitchcock than for his heartwarming Christmas tales--but he pulls it off beautifully)! His Christmas Carols are sung by the outstanding Roger Wagner Chorale, and they also provide a very etheral background for Jacob Marley's ghost, played by Basil Rathbone (better known as Sherlock Holmes in the 1940s).
   
   It's early TV, but it was filmed, not live (rare for the time), so production values are higher than for the time. But, it is an old print, so don't be expecting modern sound or picture quality. But, how nice to have this available again.

4 comments about The Doris Day Christmas Album.

1. For me Doris Day is at her best in this album, her voice conjures a christmas of days gone by, when neighbors were really neighbors, I just want to say that this is one of the best christmas album anyone can buy, I owned the lp version.



2. Doris Day never disappoints her fans, she is interpreting the following songs in a brilliant way:
   1. Silver Bells
   2. I'll Be Home for Christmas
   3. Snowfall
   4. Toyland
   5. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
   6. Be A Child At Christmas Time
   7. Winter Wonderland
   8. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
   9. Christmas Present
   10. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
   11. The Christmas Waltz
   12. White Christmas
   13. Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly [bonus track]
   14. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm [bonus track]
   15. Let No Walls Divide (Overdub Version) [bonus track]
   Hope you'll enjoy it the same way I do!



3. For all who love a clear, solid pop vocal and appealing arrangements, this is a first-rate Christmas album. Moreover, this 1964 recording reveals Doris Day in top vocal form, providing the same warm, mellow feel and fun-loving charm of all the best pop Christmas albums--Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra. All in all, this cd offers a wonderful listening experience with lots of Christmas Spirit worth returning to year after year after year.



4. I had originally heard Doris Day's version of "The Christmas Song" on a Holiday Compilation album many, many years ago, and that song remained in my head to this day. I recently discovered the source of that gem...her 1964 Christmas Album. As a fan of Chritmas Albums from their "Golden Age" of the '50's and '60's, it simply doesn't get any better than this...beautifully orchestrated arrangements with Ms. Day in prime voice. The overall mood of this album is soft, mellow and dreamy, as Ms. Day glides you along from one holiday classic to the next. Her rendition of "Toyland" has an element of of almost "beautiful sadness" to it--enough to make a grown man cry. The three bonus tracks, not from the original 1964 sessions, contrast to the rest of the album, but are worthy of inclusion. Columbia did it up right with a flawless digital transfer, adding the three bonus tracks and elegant packaging to boot. This import is a must have if you like Christmas Standards sung by a one of the best (perhaps under-rated) vocalists of her time. The domestic Doris Day release "Personal Christmas Collection", contains 10 songs from this album, but with five vintage recordings from her big band days as a girl singer with Les Brown. Hold out for this complete Import version. Why this CD is not in general release domestically is a mystery to me...it is, quite simply, one the best!

1 comments about Birthday of the World, Part 1: Rosh Hashanah.

1. This CD is volume 1 of a two-volume set (each sold separately -- volume 2 is for Yom Kippur). It was originally produced for Public Radio International in 1995, and not only features the voices of Western Wind Ensemble & Chorus, but also has guest cantors Alberto Mizrachi, Faith Steinsnyder Guerney, Jacob ben Zion Mendelson, and Charles Osborne. It's narrated by Leonard Nimoy, who is best known for playing Spock on Star Trek, but who also has a deep and abiding love for his Jewish heritage, which shines through in this performance. Together, this gathering of male and female voices is a feast for the soul.

   Unlike many Jewish holiday albums which come across as mere concerts, this one has the feel of a genuine Rosh Hashanah service. For one thing, it's done a capella, just as it would be on the holy day itself, when musical instruments are not used (except for the shofar, or ceremonial ram's horn, which is included on the CD). And it includes some of the longer prayers, such as the complete "Hineni" and "Ha Yom Harat Olam." (In consideration of those who feel the Name of God should not be pronounced except in real worship, the Name is rendered "Adomai", with an "M" instead of an "N.")

   Each liturgical piece is introduced by Nimoy, reading an inspirational script written by Rabbi Gerold Skolnik. These introductions set the proper mood and make the spirit of the service accessible even to those listeners who don't know any Hebrew. The narrations are recorded on separate tracks so, if you just want to listen to the music, you can program your CD player to skip the commentaries. (There's even a note on the back cover suggesting this possibility!) I really like that feature, because narrated albums do tend to get tedious after a while. This one lets you learn the lessons in the first few listenings, then skip them to just enjoy the music.

   The CD is over a hour long, and comes with notes on the meaning of each liturgical piece, as well as background info on the performers and composers. A wonderful way to prepare yourself for Rosh Hashanah, the Birthday of the World.

3 comments about Hildegard von Bingen: Symphoniae (Spiritual Songs) - Sequentia.

1. This recording deserves a special place for what it has done to bring the works of Hildegarde before the public. Recorded in the late 80's, it led the way, as has Sequentia, in bringing such early music treasures as Hildegarde before the listening public.

   The voices are clear and true. The performances are inspired. Of particular beauty are the interpretations of "O Quam Mirabilis Est" and "Spiritui Sancto Honor Sit" which successfully capture the ecstatic aspect of the mystic's music. If you have only one recording of this type of music, make it this recording!




2. Put on your headphones, or listen to this CD while taking a bath or meditating in a quiet place. This music will touch your soul. It seems to exist on a different level than other music. There is nothing quite like it to calm and uplift the spirit. If I could only have one Hildegard CD, this would be the one.



3. This was the first CD of Hildegard Von Bingen I purchased, and still my favorite. The sprituality and brilliance of this 12th century composer has (in my opinion) rarely been duplicated since. The complexity of the voicings in "O quam mirabilis est" and "Spiritui Sancto honor sit" among the the others, are wonderfully inspired and articulate. There are also four instumental songs on this cd. Which are an excellent study in modal shifts between the medieval fiddles,flutes and harp.The musical brilliance of Sequentia is evident in these arrangements. To the best of my knowledge these are the truest renditions of Hildegard's music extant.

5 comments about The Many Moods of Christmas.

1. We've listened to this Robert Shaw collection every season since it came out in the 60s. I heard part of it played on PBS this season, so it's in high demand. What Shaw did with these carols is incredible.



2. This is without doubt, one of the best, if not the best orchestral/choral Christmas recordings out there - recording quality is also superb. Highly recommend!



3. music for christmas the way it should be. deftly conducted by robert shaw. the atlanta symphony and chorus perform perfectly with arrangements by robert russell bennett. to get into the true spirit of the season, this one is sure to bring delight to everyone who hears it. if you want jingle bells by the barking dogs...don't get this recording. this is for pure christmas enjoyees and for the faithful and for all us traditionalists. great buy.



4. Robert Shaw with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus - what more do I need to say? I have attended several of the ASO's Christmas concerts. They are always impressive and enjoyable. So is this recording. It has stood the test of time and is still my Christmas favorite too. (The ASO is world class and has a string of Grammys to show for it.)



5. This classic Christmas recording contains well beloved carols in superb arrangements and flawless choral and orchestral performance under the great Robert Shaw. The sonics on this recording are far superior to the version by the US Air Force. Shaw has whip crack tempos and full throated singers. The other recording sounds as if the choir was recorded in a sound studio and then rudely stuck over the instrumental track.

5 comments about Christmas... From the Realm of Glory.

1. I was looking forward to getting some NEW Christmas music this year and Bebo did not disappoint. A great selection of original songs and well known carols given his own rich but understated vocal treatment with a worshipful undertone that's just right.



2. This is one of this year's best Christmas albums, a worthy addition to anyone's holiday collection. Bebo's voice is in fine form and the selection of songs is perfect.



3. I love Bebo Norman's music, and my wife and I love Christmas music - so when I saw that Bebo came out with a full Christmas album, I had to get it for her. We definitely enjoyed listening through the album, there are a few songs that we liked better than others, but overall it is a great Christmas album and a pretty good Bebo album. Wouldn't mind seeing another Christmas release from him in the future. Song number 9, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas is probably the best song on the album in our opinion.



4. I was looking for a Christmas album that had both the classics and also some new songs. This CD was just what I wanted. Bebo sings with an authentic voice that touches the heart. We listened to the CD more than any other this Christmas. It is wonderful.



5. FINALLY, A CHRISTMAS CD FROM BEBO NORMAN....UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED FROM OTHER ARTISTS....NOT THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MUSIC, AN AMAZING ADDITION TO MY BEBO LIBRARY.

5 comments about He is Christmas.

1. Listening to this album this morning as I add to my wish list, the vast majority of comments here echo my own. This album is fresh every time I listen to it. It stands ups. Timeless. Even the cuts I didn't like the first time grown on you. If you like Take 6, or just very smooth vocal jazz harmony, this will put a star on your musical tree every year.



2. This album is divine. It has the ability to evoke a Christmas feeling that I had years before the album even came out! 'Hark the Heral Angels Sing,' my favourite track on the album, reminds me of growing up, surrounded by family on Christmas Day with a turkey and ham in the oven... thinking "thank God for the joy this day brings."
   
   Vocally they are impeccably harmonized and the genre ranges from STUNNING classical interpretations such as 'Hark the Herald' to a dreamy, bluesy number like 'Sweet Little Jesus Boy'...to jazzy 'God Rest Ye Mary Gentlemen'. Like all good Santas, there's something for everyone and yet we can still enjoy all of it. Magical!
   
   Bring the spirit of Christmas home...or back home. Get this CD and then turn the volume up. God bless!



3. I had this on cassette but felt very left out when cassette players went out of style. I bought purely because it is a great Christmas CD. My favs are....well all of them!



4. This Christmas CD is another one of Take 6's display of "FLAWLESS" Acapella, rich and unique sound, phenominal Contemporary Gospel/Jazz/R&B music in it's purest form.



5. This is, in my opinion, the greatest Christmas album ever! I've had it for 7 years now and NEVER tire of it. The arrangements are bold and brilliantly inventive. Their harmonies are as fresh as ever, and I know this music will endure and excite throughout my honkey life. My fav is Drummer Boy. I have all their stuff, and this and So Much 2 Say are my favs. Their other Christmas CD might appeal to more mainstream listeners, whereas this feeds the ears/sensibilities of those wanting excitement - wanting the proverbial chills-up-spine thrills. The cover design appropriately reflects this.

5 comments about A Winter Garden: Five Songs For The Season.

1. This is great to have in addition to her classic "To Drive the Cold Winter Away" CD. This has slightly more "traditional" selections but they are flavored more heavily with the Loreena sound that has become so popular the world over. And for good reason. Even though this CD doesn't contain a large selection of songs, the ones that are on here are amazing. It feels like Loreena and the musicians that accompany her on this have spent years gearing up for this one release. ENJOY!!!



2. Albeit short, this album is a perfect companion piece to Loreena McKennitt's "To Drive the Cold Winter Away", a sparse, classic album of older Christmas /Solstice songs while this presents a shorter, very soothing and lush recording. Kind of like a glimpse into what a full length Christmas CD by McKennitt might sound like if she incorporated the sound she and her band have cultivated over the years. Every Christmas season we look forward to hearing these albums. There just seems to be so much commercial sounding holiday-overload tunes, obsessed with Jesus and forgetting that this time of year is based in an older tradition of the seasons changing and forgetting the wonder of a winter sky at sunset... Even Enya's few Christmas tunes last year (with the exception of the haunting "Christmas Secrets") seemed hollow. This however is a well-thought and expertly crafted EP. It is not long but the songs are quality. If you are a serious fan then you no doubt own this already but if you are interested in Loreena McKennitt or non-traditional Christmas/Solstice CDs then you can't beat this.



3. This woman can SING. This CD, rather short of course since it has only 5 songs, is a wonderful Christmas CD.
   
   Song 1, Conventry Carol, is my least favorite, but that may be because it is a depressing story which is being told about King Herod killing all the babies in Bethlehem.
   
   Song 2, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, is a good arrangement of the traditional Christmas song.
   
   Song 3, Good King Wenceslas, tells the story of the good king and how he helped a peasant on a cold day. It too is nicely sung.
   
   Song 4, Snow, is my favorite. I can imagine the snow falling as she sings this song. Archibald Lampman's lyrics are as good at imaging a snowy evening as Robert Frost's are in "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening." "White are the far-off plains, and white the fading forests grow" is the first line of the song and it builds from there.
   
   Song 5, Seeds of Love, is a new one for me. I'm not sure it belongs on a Christmas CD as it talks about spring and summer, but of course, the reason for Christmas is love, so I'll let it be.



4. We bought our original copy of this album at a crafts fair, years ago. It quickly became a new favorite. My folks and I look forward to listening to this album all year long. It contains well loved favorites like "Good King Wenceslas," and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Yet Loreena McKennitt also sings two other hardly known favorites like "The Coventry Carol," and "Snow." Her rendition of "Seeds of Love," brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. I highly recommend that you add this to your holiday collection. You won't regret it one bit.



5. Being a relatively new McKennitt fan, I had high expectations of this mini-album, especially for God rest ye merry gentlemen (one of my alltime Christmas favorites). The album didn't disappoint, but didn't manage to really blow me away either. Perhaps it has to grow on me, or maybe I'm just spoiled rotten with "A celtic heartbeat Christmas" on the Celtic Heartbeat label.